While the media and many politicians in this country (Democrats and Republicans alike) clamor for a complete reversal of the US’s policy towards Cuba’s dictatorial regime, the difference in how the opposing camps view Cuba’s current condition becomes more and more obvious. To many who propose a dialogue and the normalization of relations between the two countries, they see Cuba as “low-hanging fruit.” They see the island and its 11.2-million inhabitants as a political and a business opportunity.
No time like the present to warm to Cuba
Pssst … President Barack Obama, lookin’ for a quick diplomatic success? A little something to ease the Atlas strains of trying to set the economy right? Sip a mojito. Take the edge off with a few puffs on a Cohiba.
In short, Mr. President, make good on some of your campaign rhetoric regarding Cuba.
Cuba has rightly been termed low-hanging political fruit for Obama, who as a candidate made noise about opening up diplomatic relations and possibly ending the decades-old embargo.
The administration continues to drop hints through staffers who say it’s “not unreasonable” to expect an easing of travel restrictions on Cuban-Americans. Obama would be wise to quit testing the waters and act before April’s Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. Then, he would have clout with other Latin American leaders hoping for improved diplomatic relations with the U.S.
That is the Cuba the proponents of “change” see; low-hanging fruit just ready to be picked and bitten into.
But then, we have this other Cuba detailed in the 2008 Human Rights Report.
The [Cuban] government continued to deny its citizens their basic human rights and committed numerous, serious abuses. The government denied citizens the right to change their government. At year’s end there were at least 205 political prisoners and detainees. As many as 5,000 citizens served sentences for “dangerousness,” without being charged with any specific crime. The following human rights problems were reported: beatings and abuse of detainees and prisoners, including human rights activists, carried out with impunity; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, including denial of medical care; harassment, beatings, and threats against political opponents by government-recruited mobs, police, and State Security officials; arbitrary arrest and detention of human rights advocates and members of independent professional organizations; denial of fair trial; and interference with privacy, including pervasive monitoring of private communications. There were also severe limitations on freedom of speech and press; denial of peaceful assembly and association; restrictions on freedom of movement, including selective denial of exit permits to citizens and the forcible removal of persons from Havana to their hometowns; restrictions on freedom of religion; and refusal to recognize domestic human rights groups or permit them to function legally. Discrimination against persons of African descent, domestic violence, underage prostitution, trafficking in persons, and severe restrictions on worker rights, including the right to form independent unions, were also problems.
It appears there are two Cubas out there; the one deemed “low-hanging fruit,” and the one that brings to light the vile reality of a brutal totalitarian regime. Everyone seems to be liking the former, and no one seems to want to talk about the latter.
But we mustn’t look for a free trade agreement with Colombia where a true ally with money can spend it here. That would really be foolhardy.
And what are the Cuban people supposed to use for money when they are to buy from us?